After Santa gave my eldest the Spiderman-big-boy-bike of his dreams for Christmas, he has been itching to ride it everywhere. If you live in the northern suburbs, you’ll know that flat paths are difficult to come by for a new learner. Cue the Sea Cliff Bridge.
We parked at the Clifton side of Lawrence Hargrave Drive, which can be a difficult task later in the day. No issue for us since our bubs wake up at 5.30am every morning. From this side, there is a slight decline, making it that much easier for my new biker. My daughter is also a little speed demon on her blue scooter so the race begins.
Luckily in the mornings, the bridge is not overly packed. Holding onto the youngest in the pram, me and my partner enjoy the breathtaking scenery (it honestly reminds me of the coast of Hawaii), while my children dart between unaware citizens. Sometimes going way too far out of sight, with the occasional cry from a crash, it was still an opportunity for the partner and I to catch-up and relax, listening to the crashing of the waves on the cliff.
You’ll notice past the midway point that the fence has an opening with a large driveway down to the waterfront. The kids were bursting to go down and check it out, so taking a quick inventory of everything that we’d have to carry back up the hill, we went down to the shore. The kids spent a good hour adventuring around. Climbing over the rocks, up the cliff face, watching the fishers, throwing rocks and watching the shoreline.
Noting that we didn’t pack hats or sunscreen for the kids (a usual parenting fail of mine) and the day moving along, it was time to make an exit. And what do you know, that hike up the hill was a killer. We had to carry one bike, one scooter, one pram with a sleeping one year old, one four-year-old who refused to walk ever again between the two of us. With an additional mission halfway down again to pick up my daughter who slipped and grazed her knee. The kids were pooped, which meant we have to take shifts in pushing them either on the bottom of the pram or on the scooter the rest of the way back to the car.
Although things took a turn at the end, I would highly recommend it. Maybe next time we’ll just stick to the path.
Need to know
Getting there:
The 665-metre-long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight of the Grand Pacific Drive – Destination Wollongong has more info here.
Read on:
The Bridge: a sea cliff solution is published by the Clifton School of Arts.
Bike workshops:
Ahead of September’s UCI Road World Championships, Wollongong City Libraries is hosting cycling events.
1. For the Kids - Balance Bike Basics
Local cycling coach Bryan Goddard will go through the basics to get your preschooler out enjoying a balance bike. Thirroul Community Centre Hall, Tuesday 2 August. More info here.
2. For Adults - Purchasing an E-Bike
Local bike shop owner Andrew Larkin will talk about what to look for when choosing your next ride. Thirroul Library: Wednesday, 24 August, 6-7pm. More info on this and other Spin Fest workshops here.
